Philemon 1:3; Philemon 1:4; Philemon 1:5; Philemon 1:6; Philemon 1:7; Philemon 1:8; Philemon 1:9; Philemon 1:10; Philemon 1:11; Philemon 1:12; Philemon 1:13; Philemon 1:14; Philemon 1:15; Philemon 1:16; Philemon 1:17; Philemon 1:18; Philemon 1:19; Philemon 1:20; Philemon 1:21; Philemon 1:22; Philemon 1:23; Philemon 1:24

Philemon 1:3

3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philemon 1:4

4 I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers,

Philemon 1:5

5 because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus.

Philemon 1:6

6 I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ.

Philemon 1:7

7 Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.

Philemon 1:8

8 Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do,

Philemon 1:9

9 yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus—

Philemon 1:10

10 that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.

Philemon 1:11

11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.

Philemon 1:12

12 I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you.

Philemon 1:13

13 I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel.

Philemon 1:14

14 But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary.

Philemon 1:15

15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever—

Philemon 1:16

16 no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.

Philemon 1:17

17 So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.

Philemon 1:18

18 If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me.

Philemon 1:19

19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self.

Philemon 1:20

20 I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ.

Philemon 1:21

21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.

Philemon 1:22

22 And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.

Philemon 1:23

23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings.

Philemon 1:24

24 And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.